With a quarter of the season done things are starting to take shape, but what does that mean to our analysts?
They’ve been slow to jump on the Arizona bandwagon, but after a big comeback win over the Dolphins (that was Kevin Kolb’s finest win to date), are they starting to believe? Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, it was another tough loss for a New Orleans team that is doing its utmost to enhance the reputation of Sean Payton. Is it time to give up on them?
Find out what our analysts think below.
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And now for the overall rankings (with last week’s position in parentheses)
1. Houston Texans (1st)
No change at the top and, with the Texans unchallenged through four weeks of action, can anyone see this changing any time soon?
2. Atlanta Falcons (2nd) and San Francisco 49ers (3rd)
The Falcons have to share second spot this week after a dramatic victory over Carolina that owed a lot to the poor ball security of Cam Newton. After putting the defeat to Minnesota behind them, the 49ers got back to business with one of most dominant wins in recent memory.
4. Baltimore Ravens (4th) and New England Patriots (5th)
Was that the game that sees the New England offense explode back to life? Let’s see what they do against a more stout Denver defense. Baltimore keeps it’s fourth spot despite a less-than-convincing win over Cleveland. Still, a win’s a win.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (10th)
Big jumpers this week with their most impressive performance of the season to date. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but they looked good against the defending Super Bowl champions.
7. New York Giants (6th)
That’s two divisional defeats already for a Giants team that looked to turn the corner against Carolina. They’re not exactly playing badly, but it’s got to be a concern that they’re losing games they need to be winning.
8. Green Bay Packers (7th)
The replacement refs beat them, but the real refs struggled to match that achievement in Week 4. Instead, a much improved Packers team got a big win. Now, what can they do against the better defenses they’re bound to face?
9. Chicago Bears (8th) and Denver Broncos (11th)
Despite a convincing win, the Bears fall a place, an indication of just how tight things are at the top. Instead, they’re joined in ninth spot by a Broncos team who haven’t had the easiest of schedules to start the season, and destroyed an overmatched Raiders team.
11. Arizona Cardinals (12th)
You can look at it two ways. They either made hard work of the Dolphins, or showed a lot of character to pick up a crucial overtime win. However you see it, they're 4-0 and with a favorable schedule that puts them right in postseason contention.
12. San Diego Chargers (16th)
After a humbling against Atlanta, the Chargers' protection woes cleared up and they eased to win in Arrowhead. They’ll have bigger tests to come.
13. Dallas Cowboys (9th) and Pittsburgh Steelers (14th)
What to say about Dallas? That win against the Giants where they looked so good seems so long ago. By virtue of those around them struggling, the Steelers move up a spot.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (18th)
There’s no denying A.J. Green is turning into one of the premier receivers in the game, but have the Bengals beat anyone of note yet? Until they do, our team appears unconvinced as to how far they can go.
16. Minnesota Vikings (20th)
With a win over Detroit maybe it’s time to take the Vikings seriously. The defense is playing well and they’re doing a great job of playing to their strengths on offense.
17. Washington Redskins (23rd)
They almost blew it against the Bucs, but when the game was on the line RG3 and the offense stepped it up. Wins have been too rare in Washington and it seems like the culture is changing before our very eyes.
18. Seattle Seahawks (13th)
One week after looking so good the Seahawks dropped off with a defeat that makes you question if they have enough firepower to challenge for a postseason spot.
19. Buffalo Bills (15th)
It was meant to be so different for Buffalo, but the expensive defensive line is (outside of Kyle Williams) failing to produce. They need to step it up.
20. Detroit Lions (17th)
The NFL is all about execution. We know the Lions have talented players, but when you’re consistently struggling to pressure the quarterback and constantly dropping balls what do you expect?
21. Carolina Panthers (18th)
Their performance in defeat was a world apart from the Thursday Night Football debacle, yet they couldn’t close out a game despite ample opportunity. They need to get over that hump in close games.
22. New Orleans Saints (21st)
In isolation, any of their defeats aren’t that bad. But with four losses on the bounce you have to start asking questions as to just how the bounty scandal has impacted the Saints, and continues to do so. A team with as many talented players shouldn’t be 0-4.
23. New York Jets (19th)
When the thought of turning your offense over to Tim Tebow isn’t an outlandish one, you know something went wrong somewhere.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22nd)
They’re keeping games close, but a third straight defeat has to hurt. Especially how the defense parted for the Redskins to move into field goal range. That has to be fixed.
25. St Louis Rams (28th)
Just when you’re ready to write them off they pick up a big win against the Seahawks, highlighting the importance of special teams in the process. They’ll need to do more on offense to stay competitive.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (24th)
One week after showing some character in a win in New Orleans they respond by going turnover crazy at home to the Chargers. Time has to be running out for Matt Cassel.
27. Miami Dolphins (27th)
The Dolphins' defense stepped it up and the offense picked up some big yardage, yet they lost. Miami needs to start making plays when they really matter, and could learn a thing or two from the Cardinals.
28. Tennessee Titans (25th)
Big free agent signing Kamerion Wimbley is going through one of his cold streaks and they’re struggling to get pressure. On the plus side, it was good to see Chris Johnson looking something like the old version of himself.
29. Indianapolis Colts (29th)
A bye week keeps them down low.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (30th)
The line had a nightmare showing, but it’s still a case that too many players are failing to deliver on high expectations. In a passing league they neither rush the passer well enough, nor move the ball through the air with any consistency.
31. Oakland Raiders (31st)
That defeat was embarrassing. The score was close for longer than it ever should have been, such was their inferiority, and it promises to be a long season in Oakland.
32. Cleveland Browns (32nd)
Another week, another honorable defeat. Rinse and repeat.
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